ASE community heritage project under starters orders

ASE’s Essex team will be leading a series of community archaeological excavations and investigations at Palace House, Newmarket over a number of weekends, half-term holidays and during term time in September through to November 2013.

These investigations will build on the success of Channel 4’s Time Team project in 2011 (programme aired February 2012) which excavated elements of the original stables of Charles II.

The community archaeology programme started on 22 September 2013 to coincide with Newmarket Open Day when the National Horseracing Museum and Palace House Stables were open for visitors.

ASE staff, community volunteers and museum staff / volunteers will be looking at four areas of the site: recording a Farriers block, excavating a midden (muck heap!), excavating the Rothschild Yard Fountain (subsequently reused as a flower bed) and the Palace House garden, which, from available records, was in use during the 17th and 18th centuries.

About the NHRM

The National Horseracing Museum (opened in 1983) holds a nationally and internationally significant collection relating to the history and science of racehorses and the people and places connected with the sport and industry of horseracing. Exhibits include the history of horse racing, horse racing in the UK, trophies, paintings of famous horses, trainers and jockeys, jockey uniforms, betting, and horse racing memorabilia.